Combined hair clasp and necklace

ABSTRACT

A chain is combined with a hair clasp so the chain can be worn on a wearer&#39;s hair and need not contact the wearer&#39;s skin. The chain can be in the form of a necklace.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the general art of hair accessories, and to the particular field of hair clips.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Hair bows, barrettes, ribbons and other decorative accessories of various types are well known in the art and encompass a broad spectrum of designs. Furthermore, pins which decorate articles of clothing are well known to include an ornamental covering secured to the fabric by a hinged pin. Users typically purchase these ornaments largely according to the appearance of the material or emblem carried by the pin.

There are many kinds of hair clips known in the art. These prior art hair clips generally include an ornamental cover, a base plate fixed to the ornamental cover, a downwardly curved and band-shaped spring board which has both of its ends fixed to the base plate, and a band-shaped hair retainer operably disposed outside the spring board. The hair retainer has a fixed end pivoted to a pair of brackets protruding from one end of the base plate, and also has a movable end with an engaging part which is releasably latched to a pair of hooks provided at the other end of the base plate.

These prior art hair clips retain hair by and between the spring board and the hair retainer, with the engaging part thereof being held in place by the hooks. When the hairs are to be released from the clip, the movable end of the hair retainer is unlatched from the base plate by pressing ledges towards each other, which ledges are integral with the hooks and protrude from the base plate.

Heretofore, decorative accessories such as hair bows, pins and the like presenting a gathered fabric appearance have been sewed or otherwise permanently affixed to the hardware and thus have been incapable of such adaptation. As a result that the same basic underlying hardware must be repeatedly purchased even though that hardware is largely unseen and immaterial to the decorative desirability of the article. Still further, it may require some manual dexterity to fasten and unfasten such hair accessories. This may be difficult if the wearer has limited manual dexterity and may, even if the wearer has full use of her hands, endanger the hair style even the hair itself by tangling or the like.

Still further, the user frequently changes clothing and as a result, desires a different appearance for the decorative accessories. For example, in the way that a woman would wear a different scarf with different clothing outfits, she may also desire a different decorative accessory with those different outfits.

Still further, many women enjoy wearing a combination of accessories. For example, a woman may wear a hair clip in combination with particular earrings, and in combination with a necklace, pins or the like. In fact, women are always looking for imaginative combinations of jewelry and accessories.

Therefore, there is a need for a fashion accessory that provides an easy and attractive way to use a decorative element to ornament an outfit or hair style. There is also a constant need for a new and imaginative form of decorative accessory that is easy to use.

Still further, some women have an allergic reaction to some jewelry and accessories and are thus precluded from wearing such items. For example, some necklaces cause an allergic reaction when worn.

Therefore, there is a need for a necklace-type accessory that can be worn even if a woman would otherwise have an allergic reaction to such an item if it is worn around her neck.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The above-discussed disadvantages of the prior art are overcome by a combined hair clasp and chain. The chain will be worn in the hair and will hang down over the hair and, perhaps, the back of the wearer's neck. The chain need not contact the wearer's skin so that a wearer can have the advantages of both a hair clasp and a chain without the disadvantages associated with a necklace contacting the wearer's skin as discussed above. Furthermore, the combination is aesthetically pleasing and imaginative and will provide further possibilities for unique accessories for a wearer. The chain can be in the form of a necklace and can include a pendant if desired.

Still further, the combination is easy to insert into a wearer's hair and thus is not likely to compromise a hair style. A child or a person with decreased hand co-ordination will find it easy to use this combination.

Other systems, methods, features, and advantages of the invention will be, or will become, apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the following figures and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional systems, methods, features, and advantages be included within this description, be within the scope of the invention, and be protected by the following claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

The invention can be better understood with reference to the following drawings and description. The components in the figures are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention. Moreover, in the figures, like referenced numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the different views.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first form of the combined hair clasp and chain embodying the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a second form of the combined hair clasp and chain embodying the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a third form of the combined hair clasp and chain embodying the present invention.

FIG. 4 shows a combination in place on a wearer.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to the figures, it can be understood that the present invention is embodied in a combination 10 which includes a hair clasp 12 and a chain 14 which can be in the form of a necklace. The combination shown in FIG. 1 comprises a hair clasp 12 which includes a base 16 and a clip 18 which engages a wearer's hair in use. A chain 14 has a first end 22 connected to the clip, a second end 24 connected to the clip and a body 26 which hangs down from the hair clasp when the chain and hair clasp are worn in a wearer's hair. The combination will be worn on the back of a wearer's head as indicated in FIG. 4.

An ornament 28 is attached to the chain of combination 10. A second form of the invention is shown in FIG. 2 as combination 10′ and includes a clip 18′. A third form of the combination is shown in FIG. 3 as combination 10″ and includes two clips 30 and 32, with one end 22′ of chain 14′ connected to clip 30 and second end 24′ of chain 14′ connected to clip 32. Ornaments 36 are mounted on chain 14′ and each clip 30 and 32 will also include a hair clip, such as hair clip 34 on clip 30. As will be understood, the combination can include many different styles and such different styles will also be included within the scope of this disclosure. The clasp can be in the form of a barrette if desired.

While various embodiments of the invention have been described, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that many more embodiments and implementations are possible within the scope of this invention. Accordingly, the invention is not to be restricted except in light of the attached claims and their equivalents. 

1. A combined hair clasp and necklace comprising: A) a hair clasp which includes a base and a clip which engages a wearer's hair in use; B) a chain having (1) first and second ends, and (2) the first and second ends being connected to the hair clasp with the chain hanging down from the hair clasp when the chain and hair clasp are worn in a wearer's hair; and C) an ornament on the chain.
 2. The combined hair clasp and necklace defined in claim 1 further including a second hair clasps with the first end of the chain being connected to one hair clasp and the second end of the chain being connected to a second hair clasp.
 3. A hair ornament comprising: A) a hair clasp which includes a base and a clip which engages a wearer's hair in use; B) a chain having (1) first and second ends, and (2) the first and second ends being connected to the hair clasp with the chain hanging down from the hair clasp when the chain and hair clasp are worn in a wearer's hair; and C) an ornament on the chain. 